Tennessee GOP open to discussing concerns about anti-Shariah bill

March 4th, 2011by The Tennessean in Local - Breaking News

FILE - In this Monday, Feb. 14, 2011 picture, Sen. Bill Ketron, R-Murfreesboro, speaks outside the Senate chamber in Nashville, Tenn. about his bill to require photo identification to vote. Tennessee Republican leaders say they're willing to talk with concerned Muslims about legislation that would make it a felony to follow some versions of the Islamic code known as Shariah, even though activists say their requests for discussion have gone unheard. Ketron said the proposal exempts the peaceful practice of Islam, but seeks to condemn those "who take Shariah law to the other extreme" and gives state and local law enforcement officials "a powerful counterterrorism tool." (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig)

Tennessee Republican leaders say they're willing to talk with concerned Muslims about legislation that would make it a felony to follow some versions of the Islamic code known as Shariah, even though activists say their requests for discussion have gone unheard.

The proposal, which is drawing national attention, represents the boldest legislative attempt yet to limit how Muslims worship.

Shariah is a set of core principles that most Muslims recognize as well as a series of rulings from religious scholars. It covers many areas of life and different sects have different versions of the code they follow.

Muslim groups fear the measure would outlaw central tenets of Islam, such as praying five times a day toward Mecca, abstaining from alcohol or fasting for Ramadan.